Players allowed to participate in the competition are those who were not 18-years-of-age by midnight on 31st of August of the current season.
The 3rd round tie must be played before Saturday, 18th December and there are no replays. Should the game still be all square at the end of 30 minutes extra time the tie will be decided on a penalty shoot-out.
Current holders of the trophy are Middlesborough, who defeated near neighbours Aston Villa in last seasons two-legged final.